I am reaching out regarding my financial aid award, as I have noticed a significant discrepancy between the estimate provided by the Net Price Calculator (NPC) and my actual award. While there has been no change in my family’s financial situation, we have always been unable to pay the amount that has been quoted to us.
The NPC estimated a total cost of attendance of $22,000 per year, based on accurate information verified using the same tax returns submitted to IDOC and reported in both the CSS Profile and FAFSA. This estimate aligned with what my family could manage, albeit with some difficulty. However, my actual financial aid award calculates a cost of attendance of $46,000- more than double the NPC estimate and a figure my family simply cannot afford.
I am reaching out primarily to understand why this discrepancy exists. If there are differences in how my financial situation has been interpreted or any additional factors that contributed to this outcome, I would like to know so I can address them. If needed, I am happy to provide further documentation to verify that the NPC estimate aligns with my actual financial circumstances.
Northwestern is my dream university. The unparalleled opportunities in mathematics and physics research, the incredible faculty, and the vibrant campus community—including debate and other extracurriculars—are the reasons I applied Early Decision. I relied on the NPC and assurances of its accuracy from Northwestern’s financial aid office when making this commitment.
That sounds fine and I would send it ASAP. I expect you are going to have to ask for an enrollment deposit extension, because I’m not sure anyone in FA will be able to make headway on this over the next two weeks. Good luck.
Hi everyone. Thank you all for your support and help. I have received 6 acceptances so far (Case, NU, Reed, Rollins, Alabama, Minnesota Morris). Both case and NU are unaffordable as their actual values are twice their estimates. from my conversation with NU, they are telling me it is because I am living in India, despite me having received prior confirmation through mail that their npc is accurate for US citizens living in India.
The admissions went much better than what I previously expected. I never expected receiving an acceptance for Case Western, let alone Northwestern. But what I thought would be the happiest time of my school life, turned into despair and panic when I saw the aid offers. While my family is agreeing you to take up a loan or sell assets to fund my education, I don’t think it is fair for me to expect that. I have resigned to trying to increase my aid with Northwestern (fairly unlikely), waiting for Reed’s aid offer, and trying to get into good Indian universities.
It is fairly disappointing, but I am more mad than sad right now. All the time, effort and money I spent was due to Northwestern’s word that my coa would be $22000. Had I known this before, I would have spent all the time and effort elsewhere. I believed getting in would be the tough part and everything else would be perfect, only to be devastated now.
Thank you everyone for your support and assistance. None of the admissions would have been possible if not for you all. Even though I am unlikely to go there, it is still serving as a validation of my effort, hard work and a tool for boasting to others
Before finishing, I just had 2 questions.
Can I apply to a few reach universities now that I think will offer better aid (Princeton)?
Will the fact that they promised me their npc was accurate be good enough evidence to release me from my ED contract?
I am going to email them with documentation that proves their aid is not affordable and then ask them to release me if they cannot give me more funds
I can understand the feeling - you got into several universities including your #1 choice and the FA is mystifying, barring you from attending.
It is really unfortunate and quite unfair from Northwestern to assure you the NPC result could be trusted, then to double the amount they expect. It doesn’t sound very …legal. (?) as long as you filled both NPC and CSS with the same values.
Yes, if their FA makes the choice unaffordable, you are released from your ED contract.
You need to work on your other apps and yes generous universities should be included.
I suppose they do know you’re a US citizen and didn’t send you to the international student pool for FA?
Have you asked for professional judgement already or are you compiling details and documentation (especially wrt official value for things used in the CSS esp. real estate)? Because this next step needs careful documentation and may require you to take time, perhaps hire s.o who knows about US and Indian tax laws, retirement savings&systems etc, willing to review docs for you.
To give an example there was once a problem with FA because a student’s parent (all lived in another country than the US) had received some sort of tax credit - it was linked to a specific government program covering security expenses for health clinics willing to stay in specific, “dangerous” health deserts. The government figures it’s cheaper for them to pay for a few safety features on doors&windows for the clinics that do exist there than go to the expense of finding new spaces, replacing equipment or drugs, or hiring s.o new when the staff leave due to a break in. The money had been added back into the income when in fact it never was part of the income (the expense wouldn’t have been incurred without the grant and the money never went to the parent). Because this doesn’t exist in the US, it took a long time to figure out as the culprit for the higher than expected COA. It was then fixed.
Before you choose another ED2, draft a message and contact all possible universities today (some offices are still open on Monday though many may not be. I realize the fact it’s the holidays makes it even harder).
Is any of the universities you got into affordable?
Have you heard back yet from NU? If not, don’t panic just yet.
But yes, if they don’t meet their NPC, you will be released from ED and can apply wherever you’d like. IMO, you should have those other applications ready to go so you don’t miss any deadlines. You can always pull them if NU comes back and matches the NPC.
Who did you speak with:
Whoever is manning the phones or your specific admission counselor?
Calling is not a good idea because you don’t have a “paper trail” btw. Also, you can’t produce evidence (as you would through attachments) and you can’t review your sentences (which must be carefully measured and may have to include or avoid specific words).
I was speaking to a financial aid counsellor. Specifically routed to a counselor, but not mine I think. He did review the file and said thee discrepancy is because I am living in India
K. thanks. To appeal, should I just email them. The only appeal form they have is for loss of income.
One thing that made me panic is that the CWRU also is showing me almost the same amount, also twice their net price
Did the NPC ask for place of residence? If not, you may need to assume that the NPC isn’t going to be accurate for your situation. Hopefully someone with more experience with financial aid for international students will chime in.
Did you get enough merit at Alabama to make it affordable?
No it didnot. That is why I specifically asked them will it be accurate for a student living in India. Alabama has not yet notified me of merit, despite me emailing and calling them. I am going to send them another mail today
This student is an American Citizen living in India…per the thread title. They are not an international student. They just happen to be residing abroad as a U.S. citizen.
I’d call again and be very clear…you are a U.S. citizen and you are wondering if financial aid thought you were an international student because of your place of residence.
I am going to send them another mail once winter break is done. I will send in RD apps by then. I am including an excel sheet detailing all our expenses and why the price is unaffordable. From what we have so far, even if we were to spend every rupee that is being saved or used for miscellaneous purposes, the coa is too much. Will that be fine?
will them considering me an international student change the amount of money I get. Cause if I am not wrong Northwestern meets demonstrated need for everyone. I think they are underestimating my need. They may think I am receiving a lot of rent from my secondary house or not take primary house mortgage in account.